Libertia ixioides Goldfinger

Libertia ixioides Goldfinger, sometimes called Chilean Iris, is a moderately hardy perennial, which is unique due to the yellow-orange colour of its foliage and with its compact and spreading tufted habit, giving it a light appearance. In late spring and early summer, it is adorned with beautiful and delicate white star-shaped flowers, resembling butterflies. This rhizomatous and evergreen perennial prefers slightly acidic and well-drained, even dry soils. Plant it in full sun to showcase the beauty of its golden foliage, whether in a pot or in the ground.

Libertia ixioides is a botanical species native to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, belonging to the Iridaceae family. The cultivar 'Goldfinger', from which it originates, has been selected for its unique foliage and improved tolerance to dry soils. This upright tufted perennial will reach a height of 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in), with a width of 30 cm (12in), and has a moderately fast growth rate.
Libertia forms a dense tuft, which is slightly stiff, spreading in all directions. In late spring and early summer, panicles of 2 to 10 flowers, with a diameter of 2 cm (1in), featuring three white petals sheathed in a bract, appear just above the leaves. The centre of the corolla is filled with yellow stamens. The plant produces an abundance of round and yellow seeds when mature. It develops beautiful evergreen foliage, consisting of stiff, linear leaves measuring 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in) long and 0.3 to 1.5 cm (0.5 to 1in) wide, which are a yellowish-green colour and have a prominent yellow vein, with shades of orange.

Plant Libertia Goldfinger in well-drained, sandy soil which is lime free.  It is hardy to -7°C (19.4°F) and requires a sunny position to flower and maintain its golden foliage. Truly unique and attractive in many ways, both bright and dense, it looks stunning in water gardens or mixed with other perennials, such as heathers or Lithodora. It pairs well with Sisyrinchium, Crocosmia crocosmiiflora Emily McKenzie, Liatris, Panicum, or Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'. This perennial is appreciated in rockeries, borders, and also in pots on the terrace.